Method and apparatus for atomization of fluids



7 April 12, .1927.

1,624,847 c. 1.. RILEY 4 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR.ATOMIZATIQN OF FLUIDS Filed Feb. 1925 Patented Apr. 12 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GHAMPLAIN' L. RILEY, OF NORTH PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO INDTIS- TRIAL ASSOCIATES, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y'., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ATOMIZATION OF FLUTDS.

Application filed. February a, 1925. Serial No. 6,642.

My invention relates to the art of atomization of fluids, and particularly to that branch of the art in which the atomization is accomplished by centrifugal force. My invention provides not only new apparatus for the purpose, but also a new method, by the use of which a'surprlsmg 1ncreasein efliciency is obtained.

The thought which underlies my invention is to, hold the liquid on the centrifugal until it" has attained an angular speed more closely approaching the angular speed of the peripheral area of the centrifuge, after which it is centrifugally discharged. The dispersed liquid consequently impinges against the surrounding air or gas, not only at the speed of the centrifugal off-flmg, but also at the peripheral speed of the rotor at the discharge lip. Inasmuch as the liquid acquires a speed approximating the high angular speed of the periphery of the centrifugal, its velocity, upon escape from the latter, is the resultant of such angular speed, plus the radial velocity of centrifugal offthrow. This resultant is greater than either of its components, and of the two components the angular velocity is'far greater, than the radial or centrifugal off-throw velocity. The resultant velocity ofthe liquid as it leaves the high-sp eed centrifugal is far more effectlve in causing nebulization of the liquid than the psual relatively low velocity due primarily to centrifugal off-throw. The resulting atomization of the liquid is far greater than has heretofore been accomplished, and the fluid,

even a relatively heavy, or thick, fluid, is -dis ersed as a nebula.

1 gain, inasmuchsas-the liqmd while detained by the centrifuge and com to speed, forms an annulus held in position by centrifugal force, it is possible to discharge from both margins thereof simultaneously. The capacity of the apparatus may thus be doubled-although if for any reason desired, the inventionvmay be em bodied in apparatus having but a single discharge li p Obviously the underlging'thought ofmy invention may be embo ie in fipparatus of different types, and is only ustratively shown in the unit illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. l is a brokenside elevation of a centrifuge built according to my principles;

.the annulus 6 are inwardly extending rim flanges 9 and 10 respectively, each provided at its margin with an outwardly projecting, sharp-edged throw-off lip constituting throw-off rings .11 and 12. Liquid may be fed to the centrifuge in any desired gshion for example, through the feed pipe The downwardly inclined web 7 forms with the hub 8 a central receiving channel 14 to WlllCll the pipe 13 discharges. F romp this channelthe liquid is thrown outward by centrifugal force over the web 7, and passes, in part, through the holes 15 in the web 7 to the lower channel 16 formed be-' tween the web and the lower flange 10 of the annulus 6, and in part, over the web 7 to'the upper channel 17 formed between the web and the-upper flange 9 of the annulus. If the feed to the upper channel 17 exceeds that to the lower channel 16 or vice versa, the holes 15 in the web form equalizer pas- ,sages through which the liquid passes from one channel to the other, eventually forming a ring ofliquid of a depth corresponding to the depth of the confining flanges 9 and 10. The ring of liquid thus confined, icks up speed from the rotor, due not only to the frictional drag of the liquid in engagement with theinner surfaces of the annulus and the upper and lower surfaces of the web, but also to the positive propulsion of the liquid at circumferentially spaced points by the equalizing apertures 15 in the web through which the liquid is forced to pass.

As the feed continues the flanges 9 and 10 are overflowed and the liquid escapes to the throw-off rings or lips 11 and 712, from which it is dispersed centrifu ally in an exceedingly fine spray or nebufii. I This exceedingly fine atomization of the liquid is of the greatest for spray drying, since t e exposed surface lpossible advantage area "of the dispersed particles is enormously increased. For gas washers, .the great surequally valuable. For conditioning air, that is to say, for moistening air, the nebula is ideal. In whatever connection used, and it is of course understood that the uses above suggested are only illustrative, the'invention is of great value by reason of the fact that the unit has twice the capacity of usual centrifugal units of like size. Fo'rspray drying, the unit has the additional advantages that 1) the flow of liquid over both upper and lower surfaces of the centrifuge washes both clear and thus prevents accumulation of deposits thereon, (2) the exposed unwetted surfaces are smooth and may be readily freed of deposits by a scraper without interruption of operations.

The centrifuge illustrated is simple to manufacture, and rugged and durable in service. It will of course be obvious that it may be operated on a horizontal instead of a vertical axis, wherever the general-layout of the associated apparatus makes such an arrangement desirable. With the understanding therefore that what 'I claim as my invention may be embodied in other constructions than that shown and described, but operating on the same underlying principle, I claim 1. The method of atomizing liquid which comprises converting a stream of liquid by centrifugal force into a whirling liquid sheet having both angular and radial velocity, gathering the liquid at the periphery of said sheet into a high speed annulus having increased angular but no radial velocity. and discharging the liquid by centrifugal force from a margin of said high speed annulus at the resultant velocity of its combined angular-and radial off-throw speeds.

2. The method of atomizing liquid which comprises converting a stream of liquid by glentrifugal force into a whirlin liquid sheet avingboth angular and ra ial velocity, gathering the liquid at the periphery of said sheet into a high speed annulus having increased angular but no radial velocity, and dischargingliquid by centrifugal force from both margins of said high speed annulus at the resultant velocity-of its combined angular and radial oil-throw speeds.

3. The method of atomizing liquid which lus of substantial radial depth and high velocity, from a margin of which annulus liquid is centrifugally dispersed to form a nebula.-

4. The method of atomizing liquid which comprises distributing and converting a stream ofliquid by centrifugal force into a whirling sheet of liquid having both angular and radial velocity, subjecting at least a portion of the liquid at circumterentially spaced points in its peripheral area to positive propulsion at increased angular velocity, and centrifugally discharging the liquid' at the resultant velocity of angular and radial off-throw speeds.

5. The method of atomizing liquid which comprises distributing and converting a. stream of liquid by centrifugal force into a whirling sheet of liquid having both angular and radialvelocity, subjecting at least a portion oft-he liquid at circumferentially spaced points in its peripheral area to positive propulsion at increased angular velocity, and centrifugally discharging the liquid in different planes at the resultant velocity of angular and radial off-throw speeds.

6. In a centrifugal atomizer, a rotor comprising an annulus with inturned upper and lower flanges forming an interior channel therebetween, a hub, and means connecting the hub and annulus while affording passage for fluid to both flangcsfor centrifugal dispersion therefrom.

7. A rotor comprising upper and lower throw-ofl' flanges, a hub and web between the hub and flan es, said web being apertured to-permit ow there'through of fluid to the lower throw-ofl flange.

8. A rotor comprising upper and lower throw-01f flanges, a hub and an upwardly inclined web between the hub and flanges, said web being apertured to permit flow therethrough of fluid to the lower throw-oft flange.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

CHAMPLAIN L. RILEY. 

